Stewardship Council
The Stewardship Council was established in 2008 to oversee fundraising efforts and promote a culture of gratitude and generosity. Its members include the Financial Officer, a Board representative, the Pledge Campaign Chair, an Endowment & Memorial Gift Trust representative, a Taguchi Social Action Fund representative, a Committee on Ministry member and several members at large. Ministers often attend the meetings as well.
Besides overseeing the pledge campaign, the council crafts policies for the evaluation of fundraising activities and develops stewardship education materials. The council also oversees the Planned Giving Committee, which has developed planned giving materials and offered an estate planning seminar. One of the Stewardship Council's next goals is to formulate a multi-year stewardship plan.
JUC is currently transitioning to a Year Round Pledge (YRP) Campaign. Rather than a spring campaign at which everyone is asked to pledge at the same time, the congregation has been divided up into 12 groups. Each group is assigned a different month in which they are asked to pledge. Read the YRP Frequently Asked Questions sheet here.
The Endowment and Memorial Gift Trust (EMGT) and the Taguchi Social Action Fund (TSAF) are both managed by teams of members who consult with the Stewardship Council.
Major fundraisers:
The Annual Auction is held every November and is always a high-spirited, well-attended and very profitable all-church event. Many a calendar is filled with social activities for the year on this exciting night, as dinners and parties and other social events are the most popular auction offerings. After the silent auction, the live auction is an even more amazing event. Two professional auctioneers -- more used to selling livestock than vacations or dinner with the ministers -- have turned their skills and quick wit into record-setting proceeds year after year. Last year's auction set a new record of $60,000! This included a Special Appeal for new carpet for the sanctuary and basement that brought in more than $10,000.
JUC also holds a Craft Faire on a Friday-Saturday in early December and a Rummage Sale in June.